Arizona Wild Flowers
Wildflower Pictures And Photos

Skunk Bush, Rhus aromatica

Skunk Bush, Rhus aromatica Flowers In Bloom, Yarnell, Arizona March 23, 2007.

Skunk Bush, Rhus aromatica	Skunk Bush, Rhus aromatica
Skunk Bush, Rhus aromatica	Skunk Bush Fruit
Skunk Bush Dry Fruit	Skunk Bush Fruit Seed
Skunk Bush Leaves Rhus aromatica	Skunk Bush Leaf Rhus aromatica

Skunk Bush Rhus aromatica, Sumac Family ( Anacardiaceae ), Skunk Bush. Also called Fragrant Sumac, Lemon Sumac, Polecat Bush, Rhus trilobata. Skunk bush or fragrant sumac is an irregular, spreading, deciduous shrub, 6 - 12 ft. tall, with velvety twigs and lower branches turned up at the tips. Glossy, somewhat blue-green, coarsely toothed, trifoliate leaves turn orange, red, purple and yellow in the fall. Yellowish catkin-like flowers precede dark-red berries which persist into March. A sprawling, small to medium-size shrub with aromatic foliage. Many birds and mammals feed on the fruit. Leaves turn bright red-purple in fall. The bright hairy berries of Sumac have a pleasant tart lemonade taste and make a refreshing drink. Height: 6 - 12 feet. Spreading 5 - 6 feet. Flowers: Petioles about 2cm long, pubescent to glabrous. Petals 5, yellow, to 3mm long, with sparse cilia internally, free. Stamens 5, erect, yellowish. Anthers, .5mm in diameter, yellow-orange. Style 1, 3-lobed. Ovary surrounded by yellow disk. Sepals 5, united at base. Flowering Time: March - April. Leaves: Trifoliate, deciduous. fragrant when crushed. Bark: Distinctive reddish brown, smooth, glossy, attractive, exfoliating bark. Fruit: Pubescent, red or orange. Found: Seven species of Rhus in Arizona. Elevation: 2,500 to 7,500 Feet. Habitat: Rocky canyon hillsides, near streams, and in fairly arid sandy soils. Miscellaneous: Photos Taken at Yarnell, Arizona. Flowers On March 23, 2007. Fruit On June 6, 2007.